This blog covers world political issues, mostly about LGBT news and rights, and other topics of my interest.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Russia bans people with sexual disorders from driving

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree could ban transgender people and others diagnosed with sexual disorders from driving cars.

The provision is part of a broad document outlining the medical conditions that disqualify people from driving. The list of "contraindications" to drive a vehicle includes blindness and epilepsy. But it also references a set of "mental and behavioral disorders" which include "gender identity disorders" and some "disorders of sexual preference".

The decree does not classify homosexuality as a "disorder of sexual preference", but Russian authorities often enforce provisions in a way that is much broader than a strict interpretation would allow, however officials could seek to use this rule to prevent gays, lesbians, and bisexuals from driving.

In any case, this provision seems to be a new step in the Russian government’s ongoing campaign against LGBT people, which began with the adoption of the so-called "homosexual propaganda" ban in 2013.